Today, the UK government has published its initial response to my report – Shifting the Scales – that lifted the lid on the criminal justice system and its response to domestic abuse. Instead of being a lifeline to victims – who in the face of incredible trauma seek justice – I found a system that …
Today the Crime and Policing Bill will be introduced in Parliament. Responding, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said: “I’m pleased to see the Crime and Policing Bill being introduced today with an emphasis on tackling violence against women and girls and providing greater protection to victims of stalking. It …
Commissioner responds to introduction of Crime and Policing Bill Read More »
Read the Commissioner’s new report Shifting the scales: Transforming the criminal justice response to domestic abuse. Full report here, Executive summary here. Domestic abuse victims are being failed by the criminal justice system at every stage – from police to probation – according to a report published today by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. The report …
Commissioner calls to end justice lottery for domestic abuse victims Read More »
Today the Ministry of Justice announced two new statutory aggravating factors for murder sentencing, along with a review of homicide law and sentencing. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs says, “I am pleased that strangulation and killing at the end of a relationship will become statutory aggravating factors for murder sentencing, …
Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to tougher homicide sentencing measures Read More »
“I am deeply concerned to hear that 37 prisoners – who were serving sentences for breaching restraining orders – were released in error under the SDS40 early prison release scheme. “Anyone who breaches a restraining order is likely to be a high risk individual who may be fixated on their victim, undeterred by legal restrictions …
All domestic abuse perpetrators must be exempt from SDS40, says Commissioner Read More »
Today, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner has published a briefing highlighting her immediate priorities for change in the criminal justice response to domestic abuse. The briefing includes early findings from her report into this subject which will be published and laid before Parliament at the end of the year. This week we have seen perpetrators of …
Domestic Abuse Commissioner publishes immediate priorities for criminal justice system Read More »
Today, an early prison release scheme comes into effect that will see some offenders released after serving 40% of their sentence. The ‘SDS40’ scheme is a temporary measure, designed to ease the prison overcrowding crisis. But despite some exemptions for domestic abuse related crimes, the scheme doesn’t go far enough to protect victims from their …
Commissioner warns early release scheme puts domestic abuse victims at risk Read More »
In response to the ongoing prison overcrowding crisis, magistrates were yesterday requested to temporarily delay the imprisonment of some individuals. This move is intended to alleviate pressure ahead of the upcoming ‘SDS40’ early release program which aims to free up prison spaces. The SDS40 scheme allows some prisoners to be released after serving 40% of …
Commissioner responds to new measures to temporarily delay some imprisonments Read More »
Today the new Government has announced plans to temporarily reduce the point at which prisoners are automatically released from 50% to 40% of their sentence, in response to the overcrowding crisis. This will exclude anyone convicted for a sexual offence, stalking, controlling and coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, breaches of restraining or non-molestation orders, or who …
Today the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs has written to the Prime Minister calling for urgent action to address the prison capacity crisis. The letter urges Government to act now or risk failing in its ambitious pledge to halve violence against women and girls over a decade. This warning follows new analysis from the Commissioner, …
Commissioner warns Prime Minister: Victims must not suffer consequences of prison crisis Read More »
